Central America Discovery (Escorted Tour)

Duration: 22 days

from A$4372

Jumping off from the Panama Canal, this really is a journey of discovery, revealing the highlights of 6 countries crammed into the isthmus linking Mexico with South America. Crowned by a chain of volcanoes, dotted with twinkling lakes, defined with coral beaches, blessed with a balmy mix of tropical and temperate climate, and punctuated with lively indigenous villages, Mayan ruins and impressive colonial towns, these lands offer a breathtaking experience for visitors

Day 16-17: Bus through Honduras and into El Salvador to historic Suchitoto

Day 18-19: Visit the Mayan ruins of Copan

Day 20-21: Cross into Guatemala and continue to colonial Antigua

Day 22: Departure

Day 1: Arriving Panama City

Those passengers arriving
on an international flight will be met at the airport by the tour leader
or a local representative and escorted to the group hotel.

Breakfast included.

Day 2: Explore Panama City and the Canal

Your guided tour explores Central America's most cosmopolitan and
wealthy capital, built along picturesque Panama Bay. The contemporary
Hong Kong-style skyscrapers of the Paitilla district dominate the
skyline at one end, whilst at the other lies the decaying, peeling
colonial heart of San Felipe. After discovering the narrow streets,
delightful plazas and overhanging balconies of this area you continue to
Panama Viejo. This is the site of the city's original settlement until
it was ransacked by the infamous British buccaneer Henry Morgan in 1671.

The excursion proceeds out of town to the Panama Canal and the
Miraflores Locks. As the excellent visitors' centre elaborates, this
extraordinary feat of engineering was started by the French diplomat
Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1880, following his success with the recently
inaugurated Suez Canal, but was only completed in 1914 after the
Americans assumed ownership. To the delight of most Panamanians, the
canal was returned to Panama on 31 December 1999.

Breakfast included.

Day 3: Head west to the highland town of Boquete

Board a bus for the
journey across western Panama, along the Pan-American Highway (approx. 7
hrs) to the city of David where you switch to an old American school
bus, known fondly as a ‘chicken bus’, for the last stretch. The ascent
to Boquete is the most scenic section of the trip as the road winds up
through the mist and into the cloud forest. In the foothills of the Barú
volcano the town of Boquete, with its cool, clean air, comes as a
pleasant respite from the heat and frenzy of Panama City. This
settlement in the heart of Panama's coffee- growing country is your base
for explorations into the surrounding area.

Breakfast included.

Day 4: Travel to Colon Island

In the afternoon a bus heading north takes you across the continental
divide to the Caribbean coast. This beautiful road winds its way through
forested mountain scenery and descends to Almirante, a railhead for the
export of bananas grown in the humid lowlands. From here, board a ferry
across the Caribbean to the archipelago of Bocas del Toro, 24 km
offshore (30mins in calm weather).

The islands of Bocas del Toro remain isolated from mainstream tourism,
but it won't be long before this densely wooded region of secluded bays,
coral reefs and Guaymi Indian settlements is firmly on the map. There
are 6 large islands and countless smaller ones. Water taxis ferry local
people and tourists between the small communities that dot the
archipelago. Only the largest island, Isla Colón, has any roads and
there is one major settlement here, Bocas: spend 3 nights here.

Bocas is an unkempt but charming little seaside town. Even though there
is no beach the burgeoning number of lodgings, simple seafood
restaurants and little bars, make Bocas a great place to relax. Evenings
are balmy and generally low key, with activity restricted to the huddle
of welcoming little watering holes along the shore. The archipelago
also supports very traditional communities of Guaymi Indian fishermen
who live in wooden houses suspended above the water on stilts. They
travel solely by canoe, relying on paddle-power to get around.

Breakfast included.

Day 5: Bocas del Toro

Explore the islands and
revel in the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. One optional day trip is to
the Bastimentos National Marine Park. Spend the day on the beautiful
white sand beaches and delve into the jungle, rich with wildlife, which
covers Bastimentos Island. Maybe take the plunge and snorkel around one
of the spellbinding coral atolls. (Snorkels can be hired in Bocas.)
Alternatively, adopt your own tropical island for the day. Take a short
boat trip out to a deserted islet, pursued by playful dolphins, and
lounge beneath the palms, or cruise among dense mangroves, spotting
marine life beneath the clear surface of the Caribbean.

Breakfast included.

Day 6: Cross into Costa Rica and continue to the capital, San Jose

Back on the mainland, a short, scenic road journey through wooded
countryside brings you to the Costa Rican border. An anomaly in Central
America, Costa Rica has long been a haven of stability; there's a
democratic government, and they feel no need for a national army.

The journey to San José may involve a change of bus along the way; such
is the unpredictability of Central American transport. Along the dirt
road from Sixaola to Bribri vast tropical plantations stretch on either
side as far as the eye can see. After an hour the road returns to the
Caribbean coast, and the journey continues for another couple of hours
along the picturesque, palm-lined highway to Limón.

Costa Rica's Creole Caribbean coastline is culturally a world apart from
the rest of the mostly Hispanic republic. From Limón, you head inland
toward the capital and the road begins a spectacular, 3hr ascent into
the highlands of the Meseta Central. This is one of the most beautiful
routes in the country. The last hour of the journey, daylight
permitting, has extensive views over the cloud forests of the Braulio
Carrillo National Park.

Breakfast included.

*For 2018, you will follow a similar route up the coast, however
instead of ending the journey in San Jose we will head into the
incredibly biodiverse region of Sarapiqui for 2 nights. From here we
continue to Monteverde and the journey continues as normal.

Day 7: Explore the city independently or go white-water rafting

At leisure in San José to relax and explore. It's a busy, lively city,
and there's plenty to keep you occupied, including visits to the
excellent gold and jade museums.

Consider an optional excursion to Poás National Park, and make the
steep, dusty ascent to the sulphurous, bubbling crater of the eponymous
volcano, with a diameter of 1.5 km. Low cloud and wispy smoke from the
crater make it a breathless, mystical experience. Alternatively, enjoy
the extraordinary natural beauty of Braulio Carrillo, a national park of
virgin rainforest and foaming waterfalls, alive with the sounds of the
jungle's fauna. There’s also the option of white water rafting on the
Reventazón or Pacuare Rivers (both grade 3/4 rapids) Aboard an
inflatable raft you power down the rapids of rivers which forge their
way through jungle-clad canyons. Rainforest-capped, vertiginous rock
walls rise up beside you as you negotiate the current (no previous
experience is necessary, but you do need to be able to swim).

Breakfast included.

Day 8-9: Visit the Monteverde cloud forest

Board a private bus for
the 4hr journey to Santa Elena on the edge of the Monteverde National
Park. This is a magical sanctuary of verdant, dripping cloud forest high
up in the Costa Rican mountains. Monteverde is home to the elusive
Resplendent quetzal, an exotic bird with an emerald green body and
rust-red breast which is an iconic symbol of Central America. You have a
day here to explore this exquisite region. There is a guided tour of
the Cloud Forest or Cuircancha Reserve depending on where the wildlife
is best at the time. There are optional excursions to a nearby butterfly
farm or, for those in search of a bit of action, there is an optional
canopy tour over the cloud forest.

Breakfast included.

Day 10: Cross into Nicaragua

You continue towards Nicaragua, the journey starting with a steep but
spectacular descent to the coastal plains, and, weather permitting, you
may catch a glimpse of the imposing Arenal volcano. Be prepared for a
dramatic rise in temperature. The bus passes through Liberia, a tranquil
provincial capital in northern Costa Rica. After two hours you arrive
at the border with Nicaragua.

Tourism is still in its infancy and the infrastructure is not yet well
organised enough to handle many tourists. The difference between the two
countries is striking. The stability, tranquility and relative
affluence of Costa Rica is in marked contrast to the position Nicaragua
finds itself in: it has long been plagued by economic and political
uncertainty. The people are some of the poorest in Latin America and
have suffered much in the past fifty years (through dictatorship,
revolution, civil war, hurricanes, and earthquakes). Nowadays however
there is a democratic government and development of the tourist sector
is proceeding apace. Many visitors find Nicaragua - its welcoming people
and unspoilt scenery - a pleasant surprise.

The journey continues to San Jorge on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. From
San Jorge you catch the next available boat across the lake to the twin
volcanoes of Ometepe Island.

Breakfast included.

Day 11-12: Ometepe Island

Ometepe is a serene and as yet totally undeveloped island. Even in
comparison with the rest of Nicaragua, the infrastructure is basic with
only rough roads and simple accommodation. Much of the island is still
covered in primary rainforest and home to many different species of
monkeys and parrots. It is also famous for its pre-Columbian stone
statues and petroglyphs, carved by the Chorotega indians centuries ago.

There are opportunities for scenic and challenging walks on the slopes
of the island's imposing volcanoes (Concepción and Maderas) which dwarf
the surrounding landscapes. You can visit one of many coffee
cooperatives on the island. Horse-riding and fishing are also options
here. Due to heavy rainfall in recent years there is little beach on the
island, however, there are many spots to sit back and enjoy the views
across the lake and possibly take a dip in its warm waters.

Breakfast included.

Day 13: By boat and road to colonial Granada

Head back to the mainland
and on to the evocative Spanish colonial town of Granada. This charming
city was once one of the wealthiest in Latin America, a staging post for
the shipment of looted gold. The architecture reflects this one-time
prosperity: huge wooden doors open on to shady patios in
once-aristocratic houses. Efforts are now being made to restore the
city's faded splendour and newly promoted tourism has been a trigger for
the establishment of many new bars and restaurants. You will get a feel
for this is fascinating city, on an informal walking tour with your
tour leader.

Breakfast included.

Day 14: Visit Masaya National Park

Enjoy a trip to Masaya
National Park, visiting volcanic crater lakes, the old hilltop fort of
Coyotepe, the impressive and still active Masaya volcano and the town of
Masaya itself. The handicraft market in Masaya is well known for its
intricate handmade hammocks.

Breakfast included.

Day 15: Travel via Managua to the former political hothouse of Leon

You continue
northwards across dusty volcanic plains, passing the Momotombo volcano,
to León, another of Nicaragua's restored colonial cities and the perfect
antidote to the chaos of Managua. Here time is best spent wandering
through the cobbled streets and around the shady plazas and ornate
churches composing the town centre. Even during colonial times León had a
strong liberal tradition (as opposed to the conservatism that
characterised Granada), and it has remained the country's radical and
intellectual centre, with a thriving university population. The
Sandinista heritage is still visible today with a few large murals and
revolutionary graffiti plastered over some of the town's white adobe
walls.

Breakfast included.

Day 16-17: Bus through Honduras and into El Salvador to historic Suchitoto

An early morning bus takes you to the border with Honduras, where
cutting across the hot coastal plain of Choluteca, you soon cross
another border and enter El Salvador. El Salvador is Central America’s
least visited country and another with a turbulent past, where
throughout the 1980s a chaotic civil war was fought in the mountains and
fields that dominate the landscape. El Salvador is once again finding
its feet, and you’re soon whizzing through the country to the untouched
colonial city of Suchitoto.

The atmospheric town of Suchitoto is located just 47km north of the
dynamic capital San Salvador, but it is a complete contrast in all other
senses. Virtually untouched by tourists it is easily navigated on foot,
as you pass low level colonial buildings along cobblestoned streets,
where craftsmen display their goods. From the centre, where a beautiful
white washed church dominates the plaza, the town spreads down to the
shores of Lake Suchitlán, where restaurants offer wonderful views of the
lake and the nearby forest reserves. The surrounding area is a renowned
bird migration zone, and you can spend a day walking along the trails
of the forests that surround the town or take a leisurely boat trip out
onto the lake. Alternatively just spend your time recharging your
batteries.

Breakfast included.

Day 18-19: Visit the Mayan ruins of Copan

Rural Honduras beckons. It’s a 6-7hr journey to Copán, which, along with
Tikal, is the most impressive of the Mayan ruined complexes. This
region of western Honduras is a remote province of velvety green hills
and rushing rivers, dotted with whitewashed colonial villages where the
horse is still the main form of transport. Its genial atmosphere comes
in part from its relative prosperity gained through trade in coffee and
tobacco, and through the tourism generated by the Mayan ruins.

Spend the night at Copán Ruinas, an attractive, cobbled village close to
the site. There is time for a short hill walk, a visit to some nearby
hot springs, but the main attractions, of course, are the archaeological
site and the superb new museum, both of which you visit the following
day.

Copán is unique, not so much for its impressive temples, but for the
exquisite stelae and their artwork: huge, intricately carved statues
depict the complicated history of the area and its great rulers. One of
the highlights is the imperious hieroglyphic stairway; each of its 63
steps is sculpted with hundreds of different glyphs that describe
important events in Copán's rise to prominence among the elite city
states of the Mayan world. Copán flourished between 250 and 900 AD, at
which point its prosperity mysteriously declined. Within about 100
years, this once-sophisticated city had been reclaimed by the jungle,
only to be discovered by the Spanish conquistadors in the late 16th
century, and subsequently excavated 300 years later.

Breakfast included in Day 18 only.

Day 20-21: Cross into Guatemala and continue to colonial Antigua

The Guatemalan border is a 10min drive from Copán. From here you
continue to Antigua. There is a marked change in temperature as you
climb into the highlands. 'Land of eternal spring' is an accolade
adopted by Guatemalans to describe the climate of this western highland
region, where the heat is benign and nights are pleasantly cool.

Guatemala is unique in Central America; a mysterious, timeless country
in which half of the population is Mayan indian. Many, especially women
in the highlands, still dress in their traditional hand-woven clothing,
similar to that which was worn over a thousand years ago. Antigua is a
colonial city of cobbled streets, overhanging tiled roofs and a
beautiful, leafy central plaza. There is an abundance of huge, ruined
churches, convents and monasteries, testament to a time when Antigua was
the country's capital and its main religious centre. It seems that
every doorway opens onto a leafy tiled courtyard.

A dramatic backdrop of smouldering volcanoes reminds you how the city
was destroyed by an eruption in 1773. Antigua is a welcoming place to
relax and unwind, do some shopping and enjoy some excellent food, or
just to wander around the ruined convents and enjoy the flowers in their
beautifully tended gardens.

Breakfast included in Day 21 only.

Day 22: Departure

Today we bid farewell to Antigua where you will be transferred from your Hotel to the airport in time for your International departure flight.